So you’ve tried and tried taking pictures outside when the lighting is best, but you still are missing the shots. The answer is your exposure. This is a tool you will need to learn how to use. I have a ways to go, but I’m very intrigued by it and want to learn how to take amazing photographs like the pros do in not-so-good light situations.
Cameras are amazing little tools. When you really look at it though, it is just a light-proof box with a lens and light-sensitive digital card or film. The light enters the lens (aperture) and after the time determined by the shutter speed, an image is recorded. This image is the exposure. It’s deciding how much light should hit the digital card or film that is the hard part!
What we need to do is learn how to set our manual exposure to consistently take great photographs with the right exposure. I’m assuming the majority of the population with cameras use the auto mode. I am guilty of that myself! However, I have realized that learning how to use the manual modes will not only help me understand my camera better, but give me some great results in my photography.
Let’s pull out our manuals and learn how to do this the right way, shall we? Yes, it’s experiment time again. Grab that handy subject of yours and get outside to a shady area. Set your lens opening to 5.6, place your subject against some tall shrubbery or the house. Focus, focus, focus. Adjust your shutter speed and click away. Play around with it a little bit and then take some time to review your shots. Of course, this will take a little practice, but we all know the famous phrase – Practice Makes Perfect! I plan on doing a lot of practicing as soon as it warms up around here!
With that said, I recommend getting a few books on exposure and photography to increase your own knowledge and understanding.
Related Articles:
Snow Day Photography
Put Yourself In The Picture With A Self Timer